The wedding industry has no qualms about making a big to-do about the dress. And while it certainly can be a centerpiece to the entire wedding, there is something to be said for a sharp-dressed groom. Gone are the days when it’s as simple as a tux. Grooms and their groomsmen’s style now ranges from ultra casual to classic black. Here are a few ways to break from tradition and give your wedding day look a personal touch.

Since black-tie isn’t for everyone, many grooms are now choosing to go with a cotton or linen suit and opt for simple white shirts or a pattern that can be dressed up, like gingham.

With the start of Autumn just around the corner, it’s a popular time to celebrate upcoming events. Whether it’s a shower for bride or baby or a wedding, it almost seems like a no-brainer to take advantage of the crisp air and cozy feel this time of year brings.

An autumnal theme is not difficult to carry out, no matter how front and center you want its elements to become. If you happen to choose a fall theme for your wedding and your planning begins well beforehand, stock up on décor and supplies at the end of fall the previous year when they’re marked down in price. Products are so similar from one year to the next, no one will ever know the difference!

InvitationsThis is probably the most obvious play on words – but a wedding this time of year will automatically make you think of “fall”-ing in love. This works just as well for a bridal shower as it does the wedding invitation, itself.

DécorIf you used a theme like “fall”-ing in love with the invitations, why not carry it out to the event itself? A banner bearing the tag line and accompanying garland would be easy to craft but also readily available on a site like Etsy!

All other décor – whether shower or reception should showcase the season’s best parts of nature – leaves, apples, pumpkins, pinecones, cranberries and spices all make for beautiful, simple and affordable ways to get into the spirit!

No doubt about it –by the end of nine months, any mama-to-be feels like she’s ready to burst. Help her forget the uncomfortable feelings (at least for a little while) with this adorable ‘Ready to Pop’ themed baby shower! This theme lends itself to both genders as well as gender-neutral showers. From food and drink to tongue-in-cheek décor, there are countless ways to carry out this theme!

InvitationsAn easy and inexpensive way to kick off the theme is with the invites. Tie a balloon to the paper and use the same color scheme as the decorations for the event.

While the bride may do a great deal of the planning leading up to “I Do,” it’s the groom who’s tasked with coming up with the perfect way to pop the question. Styles range from casual, to elaborate, romantic and everything in between. The good news is, just like weddings, there is something for everyone and at the end of the day, it’s about celebrating two people in love.

Here are some of our favorites to inspire and entertain you!

This groom takes it literally with a live lip-dubbed song and dance featuring the couple’s family and friends to Bruno Mars’ “Marry You.”

Or, maybe you’re one of those couples that’s always known marriage was in the cards. This groom sent his love on a day of pampering and relaxation all the while knowing he was waiting at the end of it. The proposal is just as heartfelt as if she never saw it coming.

Darlings! Turning 16 doesn’t happen every day – make it a big one with a Breakfast at Tiffany‘s themed soiree. The 1961 romantic comedy about a café society girl is the perfect backdrop for a coming-of-age party – no expensive blue boxes required!

InvitationsTiffany & Co.’s font may be just as iconic as their signature shade of blue. The good news is, both are easier to replicate than you might think. For a fun twist on the jeweler, title your party with the birthday girl’s name instead of Tiffany.

DécorBlack, white and blue all over! Use any combination of those three colors and no one will have a doubt in their mind as to what the theme is. Many craft stores sell the same shade of Tiffany blue for items like plates and napkins and even in paint if you want to try your hand at homemade jewelry boxes.

Food
Sweet treats will likely be the name of the game – after all, it is a “sweet 16!” Desserts are also the easiest – and most natural looking when blue – food for guest to enjoy. Don a dessert table with cupcakes, cake pops, candy and other sweets dipped and frosted in blue and white.

We have been doing these instructional videos for about three and half years now. In that time, many people have viewed them. I was very pleased and surprised when I received an email from my old college roommate and dear friend George Richardson, whom I hadn’t heard from in over thirty years. He had watched a video which lead him to The Willow Room website and ultimately my email. George resides in La Jolla California and requested a recipe for fish. We will be doing a Mahi Mahi Fish Taco with Pico de Gallo, a cabbage pineapple coleslaw and green onion cilantro sauce. This is a great summer recipe that’s light and refreshing. This one’s for you George! – Chef Haberle

Choosing your wedding vendors can seem like an overwhelming task. With so many elements to today’s weddings, you are entering into contracts with a dozen or more people who will basically handle the most important parts of your day. How do you choose the right vendors for you?

Don’t fear! Usually your venue will be the first place that can help you navigate through the endless options. At The Willow Room, for example, we offer a preferred vendor list to our couples. You can find that list on our website here.

These vendors are ones we have personally worked with and found to reflect the style and quality consistent with our couple’s expectations of our venue. They also offer special deals and incentives for our couples.

If your venue doesn’t offer something similar, you can head online and visit sites like The Knot or WeddingWire and use their search functionality to find vendors in your area.

Here are our Top 10 tips when choosing wedding vendors:

1. Set interviews with potential vendors, either via phone or in-person and make sure they understand your vision.

2. Work with people who make you feel comfortable.

3. If you get recommendations from a vendor you have already contracted, to work with another vendor, follow-up. For instance, your bakery may work with a florist. Their experience in working together will be vital in a consistent look and feel to your big day.

4. Read over the fine print and make sure you understand everything in the contract. For example, a photographer may tell you you cannot share your photos online without a watermark, while others may have a more relaxed policy.

5. Don’t always look for the cheapest price. Look for what works best for you. Every vendor has different capabilities and depending on your day, cheaper may be the wrong way to go.

6. Decide your splurge. Maybe it’s the photographer, maybe it’s the DJ. Usually there is one area of the wedding that couples really want to focus on. If dancing is what you’re all about, invest in the right DJ. On the other hand, for an outdoor daytime wedding without dancing, flowers and decor may be more important.

7. Discuss your options as a couple. If one of you doesn’t have a good gut feeling, it’s best to make another choice.

8. Ask for advice on social media and on wedding forums and blogs. You will be able to see real people’s reviews and testimonials of vendor services.

9. Do your research online. Look at vendor’s websites, social media networks and brochures, and see which ones fit with your requirements.

10. Have fun! Choosing your vendors is such an exciting part of your wedding planning. Don’t let it stress you out. Just take one day at a time and remember it’s perfectly alright to ask for help. Your bridal party, your parents, your siblings, your friends, they are there to support you as you enter the next chapter.

One of the great things about getting married in this day and age is that when it comes to your reception, there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Case in point, a picnic theme. While wicker and gingham might not be the first things that come to mind, there are endless ways to bring the laid back vibes of a picnic into a wedding, no matter how casual or formal you’d like it to be. And – great news is, no need to worry about ants or rain clouds when your “picnic” is inside!

Invitations

Brown kraft paper, simple doilies and the quintessential red gingham will leave no doubt in guests’ minds what to expect on your big day.

Picnic food is simple and comfort at its finest. Allow guests to mingle amongst stations or tables instead of a formal sit down meal. Or make it family style with dishes passed around. Either way, let guests know what’s for dinner with chalkboard menus.

Happy July! The months are flying and we are excited to continue another Summer full of weddings, showers, reunions, corporate and social events. We also wanted to reach out to all of you and see if you might be willing to share some of your past event photos with us.

Over the past 10 years, we have hosted so many memorable events and seeing guests’ photos is one of our favorite things. We love being a part of so many milestones and we would love to create an album on Facebook with guest photos to share with all of our fans.

If you have held an event with us at ANYTIME over the past 10 years, and would like to share some of your favorite shots, please do so by emailing Tara at marketing@thewillowroom.com. If the shots are from a photographer, please include proper credit.

Feel free to send them along anytime, no deadlines, as we will consistently update the album as we gather new photos.

Help us build a memory bank of well, memories!

The Willow Room hosts all types of events, so if you’re looking for a venue, please give us a call at 724-379-5666. We have packages to fit all budgets and our ballroom breaks down into three sections to accommodate smaller groups.

Now is the time to begin thinking about your corporate holiday party or your 2016 celebration party. If you’d like to request information on these, or any type of event, you can do so online anytime here.

For all the images that come to mind when one thinks, ‘summer,’ perhaps that of the sea is one of the season’s most quintessential. After all, most would say that beaches, boats and all things blue are best enjoyed with blue skies and a cool breeze.

Not every bride has the luxury of saying “I Do” on a sandy shore, but there are plenty of ways to give your wedding a nautical twist.

InvitationsGet creative with your invites. Use the coordinates of your ceremony location or antique map prints from bodies of water near where you live or either sides’ ancestry.

Guest Book
Unrolling guests’ well wishes in this message in a bottle themed guestbook will aid in savoring your big day for many years to come. Large glass bottles should be easily spotted at flea markets and antique shops. Try buying a few in different sizes to make for a pretty display in your first home together as a married couple.